John Kerr (physicist)
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John Kerr (born December 17, 1824 in Ardrossan , North Ayrshire , † August 18, 1907 in Glasgow ) was a Scottish physicist .
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In 1857 he became a math teacher in Glasgow. In 1875 he discovered a change in the refractive index caused by the application of an electric field to certain materials ( electro-optical Kerr effect ).
In 1876 he discovered the rotation of the plane of polarization of the light that is reflected on ferromagnetic metal surfaces . This is known today as the magneto-optic Kerr effect .
He developed the Kerr cell based on the electro-optical Kerr effect .
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Kerr, John |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Scottish physicist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | December 17, 1824 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Ardrossan , North Ayrshire |
| DATE OF DEATH | August 18, 1907 |
| Place of death | Glasgow |